The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in collaboration with civil society leaders within the party, has submitted a formal petition against Justice Peter Odo Lifu, demanding his removal from all adjudicatory matters, reviews, or decision-making roles concerning the ADC.
Petition Details
The petition, dated June 18, 2026, was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and signed by the ADC National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai. Speaking to journalists outside the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja, Rufai, represented by Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala, alleged that attempts were made to prevent party members from submitting the petition at the NJC headquarters.
According to Rufai, all roads leading to the NJC premises on Thursday were barricaded by heavily armed security personnel, prompting the group to make the petition public.
Demands for Removal
The petition states: “We demand the immediate and total removal of Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu from any and all adjudicatory matters, reviews, or decision-making roles concerning the ADC. Furthermore, given what we describe as a pattern of judicial misconduct, we demand that the National Judicial Council recommend his dismissal from the Nigerian judiciary in order to preserve the credibility of the bench.”
The ADC youth wing further alleged that Justice Lifu’s ruling in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties, was politically motivated.
Allegations of Bias
“Our democratic architecture is under a coordinated assault by compromised custodians of the law,” the petition read. “This judgment is not an honest legal error but a calculated act designed to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space and artificially consolidate a two-party system.”
The group also accused the judge of proceeding with the matter despite what it described as a subsisting Court of Appeal order staying proceedings in the case. Among other allegations, the petition claimed that the plaintiffs in the suit, the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, altered their legal status during the proceedings without obtaining a valid court order.
Impact on Public Confidence
The ADC youth wing further argued that repeated allegations against Justice Lifu in various petitions have contributed to declining public confidence in the judiciary. “We cannot watch the political rights of millions of young Nigerians be auctioned off by compromised benches,” the petition stated. “The continued involvement of Justice Lifu in ADC-related matters undermines public trust and raises concerns about a fair hearing.”
The group vowed to continue its protest campaign until the NJC takes action. “We will remain resolute until the Council acts to protect institutional integrity, enforce discipline, recuse Justice Lifu from matters concerning our party, and begin the process for his removal from the bench,” the petition concluded.
